Illinois Briefs - 8/31/11

State Fair Brings In 800-Thousand Visitors

(Springfield, IL)  --  It was a record breaking year for the Illinois State Fair.  More than 800-thousand people came out during the run of the fair.  Governor Quinn says country singer Jason Aldean was one of the biggest attractions. The country singer wasn't the only one breaking records this year.  A Sherman teenager sold his steer for a record 51-thousand 200-dollars.  The grand champion sheep sold for 12-thousand 500 and the Land of Lincoln barrow brought in an additional ten-grand.  The event raised over 135-thousand bucks not only for the youths who raised the animals, but also for the state's 4-H and FFA youth education programs.

Islamic Group Doesn't Like 9-11 Coloring Book

(Springfield, IL)  --  A new coloring book that's supposed to highlight the events of 9-11 has sparked outrage within the Muslim community.  According to officials at the Chicago chapter of the Chicago Council on American-Islamic, the book promotes racism and fails to differentiate between terrorists and regular Muslims.  The 36-page coloring book is called "We Shall Never Forget 9-11:  The Kids' Book of Freedom" and it's filled with drawings that document the 9-11 attacks  --  from Osama bin Laden plotting the attacks to the U.S. Navy SEALs killing him earlier this year.  St. Louis-based publisher "Really Big Coloring Books Incorporated" is standing behind the book, saying it's a truthful depiction of, quote, "what happens to a terrorist who orders others to bomb our peace-loving, wonderful nation."

Kids Diet Book Sparks Controversy

(Springfield, IL)  --  A new kids book is expected to hit the shelves in October but it's already causing quite a stir in Central Illinois.  In fact, some doctors say the kids dieting book, called, "Maggie Goes on a Diet," is sending the wrong message.  The main character is a fat girl who has no friends but as soon as the girl loses weight, she gains friends.  One Champaign doctor says that's a message that perpetuates a negative attitude and could lead to eating disorders.

Wreckage From WTC Rolls Into Metro-East

(Belleville, IL)  --  Two years of hard work is finally paying off for one woman who lives just over the Illinois border.  Linda Weisenstein worked tirelessly to bring a piece of the World Trade Center wreckage from 9-11 to Belleville.  The 35-foot long, 71-hundred pound piece of steel will be the centerpiece of the new "September 11th Memorial Walkway of Southern Illinois."  It will be rolling into town Monday and will lead Belleville's Labor Day Parade.  After that, it will be put away until proper lighting and security are in place at its final resting place, which will be at the intersection of Illinois 159 and 15, near Belleville's Engine Four and headquarters.

Governor Announces Jobs Program In Rockford

(Springfield, IL)  --  A new construction project in Rockford is expected to create 400 jobs.  The Morgan Street bridge is being replaced at a 37-million-dollar price tag.  The idea behind the project is to enhance safety, improve traffic flow and revitalize the area just south of downtown.  A portion of the funding for the project is coming from the "Illinois Jobs Now!" capital program.

Governor Announces Transportation improvements In Quad Cities

(Springfield, IL)  --  A new MetroLINK Transit Maintenance Facility is headed to the Quad Cities.  Governor Quinn was on hand to break ground on the new Rock Island facility yesterday afternoon.  The 34-million-dollar project will consolidate the agency's administrative operations and maintenance functions, and it will serve as the cornerstone of a new riverfront development.  This project continues Governor Quinn's agenda to improve transportation and grow jobs in Illinois.  MetroLINK estimates that the project will create 125 construction jobs.